Roger Waters was the main lyricist for the classic British rock band Pink Floyd. He, along with Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright, formed the band in 1965 and released their first album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn in 1967. In 1968, Syd Barrett was replaced by guitarist/singer David Gilmour. He and Gilmour were the main creative forces behind the albums Meddle, Dark Side of the Moon, and Wish You Were Here; Waters eventually became the primary songwriter, being the driving force behind Animals, and The Wall as well as the sole songwriter of The Final Cut. Waters became well-known for being an intense perfectionist and his controlling nature alienated the rest of the band. The Final Cut, released in 1983, was essentially a Roger Waters solo album "performed by Pink Floyd" as the credits stated. This would be the group's last album with Waters. David Gilmour decided to carry on with Pink Floyd and Waters, believing that Pink Floyd was a "non-entity" without him, sued the rest of the band to retire the Pink Floyd name. His lawsuit ultimately failed, and Pink Floyd released three more studio albums and two double live albums, without him.
The feud between David Gilmour and Roger Waters lasted for decades, and it wasn't until Live 8 in 2005 that they finally decided to set their differences aside and perform a brief set for the charity gig. This would be the last time that Pink Floyd would ever perform together in their "classic" lineup. Shortly after the show, there was much speculation that Pink Floyd would get back together for a full reunion tour, but Gilmour ultimately nixed the idea, stating that although the Live 8 gig was fun, the rehearsals were not.
Much to everyone's surprise, Gilmour and Waters reunited once again on July 11, 2010 for a charity performance for “The Hoping Foundation,” an organization that supports Palestinian refugee kids. At Ronnie Scott’s club in London, the duo performed four songs together: “To Know Him Is to Love Him” (a cover of the old Teddy Bear’s song), “Wish You Were Here,” “Comfortably Numb,” and finally (after a special request) “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2.” Once again, just like after the Live 8 Reunion, speculation began regarding future reunions. No official Pink Floyd reunion has yet been set, but Gilmour did promise that he would join Roger Waters for one show on his 2010-11 “The Wall” tour, performing “Comfortably Numb.” Gilmour fulfilled his promise on May 14, 2011 in London.
Waters has so far released the following solo albums:
* Music from The Body soundtrack with Ron Geesin(1970)
* The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking (1984)
* When the Wind Blows soundtrack with contributions from other artists as well (1986)
* Radio K.A.O.S. (1987)
* The Wall: Live in Berlin (1990)
* Amused to Death (1992)
* In the Flesh live (2000)
* Flickering Flame: The Solo Years, Vol. 1 (2003)
* Ça Ira (Opera) (2005)
*Is This the Life We Really Want? (2017)
*Igor Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale (2018)
*The Lockdown Sessions (2022)
Picture That
Roger Waters Lyrics
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Tossing away your last cigarette
Picture your finger pushing the doorbell
Picture the skull and crossbones on the doormat
Picture yourself on the streets of Laredo
Picture the Casbah, picture Japan
Picture your kid with his hand on the trigger
Picture prosthetics in Afghanistan
Picture a cathouse with no fucking whores
Picture a shithouse with no fucking drains
Picture a leader with no fucking brains
No fucking brains, no fucking brains
No fucking brains, no fucking brains
No fucking brains, no fucking brains
No fucking brains, no fucking brains
Follow me filming myself at the show
On a phone from a seat in the very front row
Follow Miss Universe catching some rays
Wish You Were Here in Guantanamo Bay
Picture a seat on a private plane
Picture your feet nailed to the floor
Picture a crew who are clearly insane
Picture no windows, picture no doors
Glued to a screen in the state of Nevada
To follow the dream gets harder and harder
Picture her wrapping a gift for the wedding
Picture her boiling the water for tea
Picture the kids climbing into the backseat
Picture my hand turning the key
Oh, picture that
Picture the dog in the pickup ahead
Picture the tree at the side of the road
Picture my hands growing steadily colder
Colder, colder
Colder, colder
Colder, colder
Colder, colder
Follow me down to a place by the river
Sold for my kidneys, sold for my liver
Why so weedy, so fucking needy
There's no such thing as being too greedy
The lyrics of Picture That, a song by Roger Waters, paint a picture of a dysfunctional and disturbing society where people are callous towards human lives and basic human values. The first stanza of the song sets the tone for the rest of the track. The images of a skull and crossbones on the doormat, prosthetics in Afghanistan, and a courthouse without laws create a picture of an anarchic and violent world. The lyrics describe the lack of humanity and morality, and a leader with no brains, who is unable to lead the people and take care of their needs. The song also takes a dig at Miss Universe, who is seen on the beach, oblivious to the torture of those in Guantanamo Bay.
The second part of the song describes a paranoid society where people are glued to their screens and live in fear of following the dream. The lyrics speak to the dark future of our world where people are ready to sell their kidneys for cash, failing to distinguish between necessity and greed.
Picture That is Roger Waters's response to the political climate of the moment. It reflects his frustration, fear and anger at the current state of the world. It is a call to action for anyone who cares about the human race and wants to make a difference.
Line by Line Meaning
Picture yourself as you lean on the port rail
Imagine yourself in a moment of leisure as you lean against the railing of a ship
Tossing away your last cigarette
Throwing away the last remnant of pleasure before the harsh reality of life
Picture your finger pushing the doorbell
Visualize your arrival at someone's home, ready to announce your arrival
Picture the skull and crossbones on the doormat
Imagine the warning symbol of death displayed at the entrance of someone's residence
Picture yourself on the streets of Laredo
Visualize the feeling of being out of place in a foreign land
Picture the Casbah, picture Japan
Imagine the exotic and unfamiliar lands of the East
Picture your kid with his hand on the trigger
Imagine the dire consequences of the younger generation possessing destructive power
Picture prosthetics in Afghanistan
Imagine the brutal realities of war and the enduring injuries suffered by those involved
Picture a courthouse with no fucking laws
Imagine the absurdity and injustice of a legal system with no basis in ethics or morality
Picture a cathouse with no fucking whores
Imagine the irony of a brothel without the very prostitutes it exists for
Picture a shithouse with no fucking drains
Imagine the repulsive filth and squalor of a bathroom with no means of disposal
Picture a leader with no fucking brains
Imagine the recklessness and incompetence of an influential figure who lacks basic intellect
No fucking brains, no fucking brains
Repeating the disbelief and outrage at the stupidity and ignorance of such a leader
Follow me filming myself at the show
Join me in the contemporary act of filming oneself at an event
On a phone from a seat in the very front row
Using technology to document one's privileged viewing position
Follow Miss Universe catching some rays
Observe the beauty pageant winner lounging in the sun
Wish You Were Here in Guantanamo Bay
Yearning for the presence of cherished individuals in a place of detainment and suffering
Picture a seat on a private plane
Visualize the luxury and exclusivity of air travel in a personal aircraft
Picture your feet nailed to the floor
Imagine the sensation of being stuck in one place, unable to move or progress
Picture a crew who are clearly insane
Imagine the madness and instability of a group who are tasked with a dangerous mission
Picture no windows, picture no doors
Imagine the chilling confinement and isolation of a space with no means of escape
Glued to a screen in the state of Nevada
Stuck to a digital device in a place renowned for gambling and excess
To follow the dream gets harder and harder
Commenting on the increasing difficulty and unlikelihood of achieving personal aspirations
Picture her wrapping a gift for the wedding
Imagine the acts of generosity and celebration that mark a significant life event
Picture her boiling the water for tea
Visualize the simple actions of daily life, demonstrating the mundane routines that make up our existence
Picture the kids climbing into the backseat
Imagine the fond memories of a family setting off on a journey together
Picture my hand turning the key
Visualize the impact of one's actions and decisions, especially in moments of transition or change
Oh, picture that
Let's contemplate the scenarios that we have envisioned and evaluate their significance
Picture the dog in the pickup ahead
Imagine a companion animal traveling with their owner in a car
Picture the tree at the side of the road
Visualize the mundane scenery on a journey, appreciating the beauty in everyday surroundings
Picture my hands growing steadily colder
Imagine the feeling of dread and apprehension that can accompany a moment of uncertainty or fear
Colder, colder
Further emphasizing the feeling of distress and discomfort
Follow me down to a place by the river
Join me in a journey towards a place of tranquility and refuge
Sold for my kidneys, sold for my liver
Reflecting on the commodification and dehumanization that can come with participating in a capitalist system
Why so weedy, so fucking needy
Ruminating on the insatiable desires and inadequacies that seem to be part of the human condition
There's no such thing as being too greedy
Highlighting the accepted belief in some modern societies that unbridled greed is an admirable trait
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: George Waters
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind